Tommy Joe Stribling

Tommy Joe Stribling, 88, went home to heaven Jan. 19, 2023. Born May 24, 1934, he graduated high school in 1952 in MacRae. He immediately went to boot camp for the U.S. Navy, serving as an aviation electrician. A son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and of course Papa Joe, he married Betty Smith in August 1952. They were stationed out of San Diego, Calif., where his daughter was born in August 1953. He took pride in being a veteran. After leaving the Navy he worked for the railroads. His son was born in April 1956. He then went to Blytheville to farm the family land, where his daughter was born in January 1958. He became a master electrician and founded Stribling Electric. He raised his three children who all went on to have families. In August 1977 he married widow Patty Branscum with her children, Richard and Darla.

He was always active with veterans organizations where he lived. He also was involved with the Masonic Lodge, becoming a Shriner and fund raising for the Shriner’s Hospital. Eventually he retired and settled in Water Valley, Miss. He continued doing electrical work during retirement. Everyone knew fishing was his passion. He was a fishing expert teaching his kids and grandkids the joy of the sport. And nobody could fish like Papa Joe. And this man could fix anything, a man of many skills.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Abe and Lora Mae Stribling; daughter, Betty Susan Hyman; son, Richard Branscum; brother, Jeff Stribling; and granddaughter, Lindsey Branscum.

He leaves behind his wife, Patty Stribling; brother, Harold (June) Stribling; sisters, Sue Beard and Maxine (Robert) Coleman; daughter, Patti (Stacey) Lauer; son, Steve (Sandy) Stribling and daughter, Darla Branscum; grandchildren, Tracy (JR) Reynolds, Greg (Pamela) Holifield, Betsey Jo (Scott) Weintrub; Ellen (Christian) Cambra, Steven (Iris) Stribling; John (Allie) Stribling, Jessi (Tripp) Gorman, Blake (Lacey) Wyatt, Dalton Pruett, Rossi Pruett, Libby Branscum, Cara Branscum, Tabitha (Arben) Wilson, Jason (Alicia) Bruce; and Elizabeth (JR) Cherry; and numerous great-grandchildren all across the country.

He was loved and will be missed by many.